Two Challenges: Triple the Scraps & Heart2Heart Color Challenge

Matthew 6:26 is the inspiration for this scripture. Behold the birds of the air, for they neither snow nor do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they? Our little birds may not “work”, but what is more joyful in the morning than to hear to hear uplifting bird-song as we begin our day? In the same way, what father does not revel in his own child’s laughter, or seek to “fix things” that make his child sad? Just as my own sons’ parenting skills are clear reflections of their father, so must our hearts and our actions be reflections of our heavenly Father. How blessed are we to have His protection, his agape love, and to be cherished as His children?


I struggled with what projects to take with me to work on at the Friday Night Crop at the CKC Convention in Valley Forge, PA. It hit me Thursday morning (we left Thursday evening) that this would be a WONDERFUL opportunity to catch up on ALL of my missed challenges! I was five behind on my Triple the Scraps scripture challenge and I wanted to do this week’s Close to My Heart Color Challenge.

So, I frantically looked for scriptures and art for three out of the five challenges, added a few last minute projects, and was confident that I would have plenty to do while making huge strides to finish overdue projects during our four-hour cropping window. I failed to factor one element into my best-laid plans: EXHAUSTION! After a grueling, 10,000-step, six-class day, my world took on Alice-in-Wonderland angles and shapes. My inability to cut a straight line with a ruler/trimmer magnified itself to the power 10. Scallops were lost and edges skewered. But how like our heavenly Father is it to accept us as we are, odd angles and all? Rather than redo the project, I decided to let the imperfections remain because we are flawed creatures who can rest in our Father’s perfections.

“You should have seen her!” my roommate Melissa shared with our two other cropping partners – Tina and Erica. “By 10:00 she was nodding off at the table with pop dots in her hand.” The next day, after another five classes and almost 6,000 steps, I added the final touch to the project -- “stitching” – while sitting in my minivan waiting for my three traveling companions to finish their last class. I used three-general stamping on my little birds and created my scallops with an EK Success corner rounder.

I used the following products to complete this project.

 Vineyard Berry cardstock (1248)

 Vineyard Berry Exclusive Ink (Z2257)

 Blush Cardstock (Z2257)

 Crème Brulee cardstock (X5754)

 Black Exclusive Inks (Z2305)

 Classic Cap Alphabet stamp set (D1110)

 Love Birds stamp set (C1396)

Challenge 15 --Fear Not

An expected noise, swooshing branches scratching the side of a house, thunder-splitting lightening assaulting a nearby tree – who isn’t afraid of things that go bump in the night? But Scripture tells us we have nothing to fear for our Lord is with us always. He strengthens us in the middle of the storm. He keeps us safe in the unsafe places. He has plans for us. So when we’re afraid, we can draw courage from Isaiah 41:10 as we move through the danger and experience victory at His right hand.

Triple the Scrap’s Fear Not” challenge begged for monsters which were not part of my inventory until my CTMH convention bundle arrived last week. So I put together another sneak preview using products schedule for release on September 1. I used the Hooligans Level I Paper Pack X7129A which included the cardstock and stickers for the 6” x 6” page, squares, and “Boo!!” I used my EK Success powder brush to de-stick the stickers. I used the felt monsters for added depth from CTMH’s Hooligans Level 2 Assortment ( Z1332). I edged with Black Exclusive Inks (Z2105) and one of our new fall colors, Lagoon (Z2195).

I took a short cut and used some mini-shimmer alpha stickers from Making Memories for the “Fear Not” title rather than break open a new pack of our Color Ready Bold Alphabets (X5750). I can blame it on my two larger dogs (Bo @ 65 pounds and Tally @ 55 pounds) who are deathly afraid of thunderstorms. Just I finished, thunder, lightening, and a more than wet thunderstorm swept by our house. Lucy (a 28-pound fireball) was pretty nonchalant about the whole thing, but Bo and Tally were completely undone. They could not “fear not.”

Forgive

Somebody spilt the milk! Was it the cow in Close to My Heart’s Howdy Acrylix Stamp Set (D1435)? Or was it the farmer’s son who tried to take shortcuts when he was sent out to milk the cow who was never returned to the barn the night before? Should the unseen farmer’s son be forgiven? Proverbs 17:9 tells that when we forgive, we extend love to others. How real is that? . . . and maybe even Bossie will forgive him for leaving her outside all night long.


Besides the Howdy stamp, I used the following products:

 Splendor Level 2 paper pack (scraps)

 Back Country Level 2 paper pack (scraps)

 Olive Exclusive inks (Z2137)

 Barn Red Exclusive inks (Z2104)

 Chocolate Exclusive inks (Z2111)

 Cricut Old West cartridge for the letters

Triple the Scraps: Hymn

Spring is so here. Even as I upload my latest Triple the Scraps project, I can't seem to turn my thoughts from Spring. So, I ramped up my "challenge" a bit and focused on using bits of papers left from other Close To My Heart projects to build this page. My scripture is from Ephesians 5:19 which encourages us to communicate through hymns and spiritual songs. And if the rocks will praise Him should mankind remain silent (Luke 28:40), then why not the flowers too? The only stamp on the page comes from Close To My Heart's You Rock Workshop on the Go (B1341). I used a White Daisy cardstock base and B&Ts from Daydream, Bella, Aspen and Celebrate Everyday to create the backgrounds. I used a 1.25" round punch to create the flower centers and petals. The green cardstock was left over from our May Workshop On The Go pack -- Cheery-O. By the way, if you listen carefully, you just might hear the flowers praising Him too!

Triple the Scraps, Neighbor

I look forward to our scripture challenges and usually work on them Sunday evenings. It's way too fun.

Our sixth scripture challenge focused on the concept of neighbor. I am continuing to use Close To My Heart products to create my 6”x 6” pages which, by the way, I display from a Seven Gypsies free-standing photo holder. It looks quite stunning. I chose the Parable of the Good Samaritan as my backdrop and focused on Luke 10:36-37 to define the moment.. In light of our own lingering winter and wet spring, I thought that a nautical theme would be appropriate so I used a page from our Majestic Blue Level 2 Paper Pack (X7081C) for our flood or raging waters and a sheet from our Everyday Celebration card making kit for the sky. I used Crème Brulee cardstock to stamp the birds and mounted the project on a 6” x 6” piece of Colonial White cardstock. I used our Springtime (D1415) stamp set for my birds and my umbrella boat. Our added a few details to our needy neighbor to create a sense of distress. As you can see, four of the little birds were piled in one umbrella boat hoping to get to safety while one little brave Samaritan was returning to help his neighbor. I quickly discovered that Crème Brulee was not the best color choice, so I used two Copic markers to adjust my hue: Y38 Honey and Y08 Acid Yellow. I used the CTMH Around the Block (D1377) to form my journaling clouds. I used Outdoor Denim (Z2140) to stamp my clouds and for chalking the edges. I also used pop dots to bring additional dimension to the umbrellas and glue dots for a slightly lesser 3-D effect.

Scripture Challenge 5: FOLLOW

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. (John 10:4, NIV)

I knew which scripture and what images I wanted to use for this challenge. The only thing I didn’t know was where to find the sheep. I do have some cute Cornish Heritage Farm sheep stamps, but I wanted to keep using the Close to My Heart products just to see If I could. Then I remembered some wonderful punches I had, so here they are! My CTMH products include STAMPS – D1377 Around the Block and D1418 Felicity. I used papers from Level 2 paper packs – X7082B Expedition and X7096B Blue Ribbon.

The punches were primarily EK Success. The tag punch (for the legs) also accommodated the ears and the eyes. I used a 1/2-inch circle punch for the tail. A light chalking of the sheep's bodies with CTMH Desert Sand added depth and a white Inksentials pen added the rest of the features. I stamped the clouds with Moonstruck (Z2124) Essential Inks. This project came together quickly, which made it all the more fun to do.

Triple the Scraps: Home

Home can be many things to many people. In the stages of our the David Cook family, it’s been a honeymoon hideaway, a nursery, a zoo, a boy-scouts headquarters, a newspaper office, a departure point, a ministry headquarters and personal business office, and now it’s also our church. But years ago, we made the commitment that “for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.” We meant it then and we mean it now. The top scripture from 1 Timothy reminds us of the importance of family ministry. Our children know they can come home if they need to; home will always be open. How can we expect our heavenly home to be opened when we turn our backs on family?

This is our fourth Triple the Scraps challenge. Again, I used all Close to My Heart products: I built the project on White Daisy cardstock using the November 2009 Stamp of the Month – D1377 “Around the Block. I added a touch of desert sand paper to the door and then framed the windows with a Desert Sand marker (Z2318). I also used Vineyard Berry and Heavenly Blue ink pads and markers. I used our Z282 Hemp to hang the first scripture and a Stubble Tool which is part of our Z1298 Texture Tool set to stipple the signage. I chalked the edges of the house with Vineyard Berry using the foam tool which is also part of the texture set and chalked the signs with Z2105 Black ink.

Triple the Scraps, Abide

Abide was a much more difficult theme for me to present, but, after two attempts, this simple scene conveyed my first thoughts. My scripture is John 15:7, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” The delight our silhouetted young girl conveys as she receives flowers from her friend reminds me of our relationship with Christ. This is a tender moment, an idyllic setting that takes us to a place of peace and contentment. How much more so is the gift we receive as our faith stands firm in difficult times? Abiding, patiently waiting for the Holy Spirit’s direction and instruction and then walking ahead with full possession of His gift gives rise to that special peace that passes all understanding. How great is our God indeed.


With the exception of Smooch Spritz, Gold Glow, all my products are from CTMH. I used Vanilla Cream pigment ink to stamp the images on our Cocoa Cardstock. The cross comes from our B1326 He Is Risen clear stamps, while the scene is from D1373 Childhood Portrait and the lettering comes from D1195 The Works Acrylix Clear Stamp set. I typed the scripture in a 2-inch column and then sprayed it with Smooch Spritz Gold Glow spray which gave the typed page and air-brushed, glittery effect. I also stamped the cross using CTMH Cocoa ink pad onto White Daisy Cardstock that I sprayed with the Smooch Spritz.

Triple the Scraps, Temptation

This is the second of 26 Scripture Challenges for the year. My scripture selection is from Matthew 26:41 (Amplified). All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

I used Close to My Heart's (CTMH) Cocoa and Twilight inks and cardstock along with Bamboo as a cardstock base. I used the D1349 Be Yourself for my joggers and D1418 Felicity and D1222 Tiny Typewriter Alphabet for lettering. I also used a B&T scrap from CTMH’s Grace Level 2 pack for accent. I stippled the scripture reference with Twilight ink. I scalled the title strip with my EK Success corner rounder (with the corner guard removed) and my hand punch for the arrows. I popped them out a bit with foam dots.

Triple the Scraps, Hope

Our first scripture challenge is Hope. Hope is truly a gift from God. It keeps us going in hard times. My scripture is from Roman 15:13 (Amplified) -- May the God of your hope so fill you, with all joy and peace in believing [through experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.
I used CTMH’S Bamboo and Cocoa cardstocks to build this page. I added a heart border with my Fiskar’s Punch and used graphic elements from B1326 He Is Risen and D1373 Childhood Portraits. I stippled Cocoa Exclusive Inks on the scripture to add texture. For the title I used D1100 Classic Caps.

Scripture Challenge Cover Page

I'm excited about this year's Triple the Scrap’s scripture challenge which we're doing on 6"x6" scrapbook pages. This is the cover page for 2010 Scripture challenge. The Bible graphic and Scripture citation are from CTMH's Come Unto Me My Acrylix Stamp Set (D1199). I used CTMH’s You Rock background paper along with Bamboo, Desert Sand, Cocoa and black cardstock. I used Cocoa Exclusive Inks for all stamping and Stazon’s Timber Brown to bronze the pewter decorative button and chocolate brown brads on the scripture reference. I also added a tad of bling with a gold glitter pen on the Bible. I used Provo Craft’s Pixie Serif Black Roll Alphabitties for the title, but this product seems to be discontinued. I used large, clear pop dots to enhance the Bible’s three-dimensional effect and a thin brown ribbon from my stash to bring a finishing detail. I cut the "2010" title from the "Animal Crackers" disk on my Making Memories Slice.